Environmental Scanning Electron-Microscopy of Marine Aggregates
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-1995
Department
Marine Science
Abstract
Marine aggregates were examined for the first time in the hydrated state using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Sample preparation consisted of fixation followed by rinsing with distilled water to remove excess salts and fixative. Aggregates were continuously observed at resolutions comparable to conventional scanning electron microscopy through stages of hydration, from completely immersed to desiccated. Because no metallic coating is required, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) can be used to analyse rapidly constituent elements occurring at low concentrations with no spectral interference. Subtle differences in mineral particles were seen in both EDXS spectra and in direct observation of relative hydration, reflecting apparent differences in mineralogy, ESEM enabled-examination of effects of desiccation and rehydration on individual particles composed primarily of hydrated polymer and eliminated dehydration artefacts in delicate organisms.
Publication Title
Journal of Microscopy--Oxford
Volume
178
First Page
101
Last Page
106
Recommended Citation
Lavoie, D.,
Little, B.,
Ray, R.,
Bennett, R.,
Lambert, M.,
Asper, V.,
Baerwald, R.
(1995). Environmental Scanning Electron-Microscopy of Marine Aggregates. Journal of Microscopy--Oxford, 178, 101-106.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/5855